Vinyl pressings
by Wham! · 1984
Freedom was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 15 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
TA 4743 A1 CCRunout side A, variant 1
TA 4743 B1 ARunout side B, variant 1
TA-4743-A3Runout side A, variant 2
TA 4743 B1 ARunout side B, variant 2
A-4743-A3Hand etched in run-out area A-side, variant 1
A-4743-B1Hand etched in run-out area B-side, variant 1
A-4743-A3Hand etched in run-out area A-side, variant 2
A-4743-B3 ∴Hand etched in run-out area B-side, variant 2
A 4743-A3A-Side run-out, hand-etched
A 4743-B2B-Side run-out, hand-etched
A 4743-A3 CEtched runout, side A. Variant 1
A 4743-B2 DEtched runout, side B. Variant 1
A 4743-A3 ::Etched runout, side A. Variant 2
A 4743-B3 BEtched runout, side B. Variant 2
01-4743-1A-1 ARunout, A-side, stamped
01-4743-1B-1Runout, B-side, stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12124First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12124First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 05409First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CSA 1002First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Epic EPC A 4743 / Epic A 4743First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Epic EPC TA 4743First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Epic EPC A 4743First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | Epic EPC A 4743First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-315First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Epic 12・3P-573First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1001First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Epic ES 12124First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 4743 / Epic A 4743First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | Epic EN 5729First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | CBS CS-10089 / CBS 38-054097", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Poland | Art & Muzyka ARM-5307-1Flexi-disc, 4", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | Flexi-disc, 4", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
51 vinyl pressings of Freedom are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Epic TA 4743, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TA 4743, A4743, A 4743, QA 4743) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TA 4743 A1 CC and TA 4743 B1 A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
